Pivotable inner-housing type impulse tool



Aug. 31, 1965 c. K. BROWN 3,203,204

PIVOTABLE INNER-HOUSING TYPE IMPULSE TOOL Original Filed Dec. 12, 1962 4 Sheets$heet 1 INVENTOR CHRISTOPHER K BROMV 1965 c. K. BROWN 3,203,204

PIVOTABLE INNER-HOUSING TYPE IMPULSE TOOL 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Dec. 12, 1962 I36 l l 1 1 Be Tge l5e i \IBO 1 I34 I32 LHP LP e l INVENTOR H6. 3 I 336 CHRISMPHERKBROWN BY 0% I A.

*W ATTRNEY 965 c. K. BROWN 3,203,204

PIVOTABLE INNER-HOUSING TYPE IMPULSE TOOL Original Filed Dec. 12, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IGGILLJ 339 l i J e 6 2 l J92;- 7 III vlk 30 u W 1 1 FIG. 3a

INVENTOR CHRISTOPHER/C BROWN BY 5 A AT RNEY Aug. 31, 1965 c. K. BROWN PIVOTABLE INNER-HOUSING TYPE IMPULSE TOOL Original Filed Dec. 12, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR CHRISTOPHER/(BROWN ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,203,204 PIVOTABLE INNER-HBUSING TYPE EMPULSE TOQL Christopher K. Brown, Sayre, Pa., assignor to Ingersoll- Rand Company, New York, N.Y.., a corporation of New Jersey Original application Dec. 12, 1962, Ser. No. 244,151. Divided and this application May 5, 1964, Ser. No.

377,789 Claims. (CI. 6426) The present invention relates to impulse tools of the type disclosed in U .8. Patent No. 3,116,617, issued Janumy 7, 1964 to D. K. Skoog for Fluid Impulse Torque Tool, and more particularly to an improved impulse tool of the pivotable type. This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Serial No. 244,151, filed December 12, 1962 by D. K. Skoog et al.

Heretofore, conventonal portable, power operated tools for driving nuts, bolts and screws or for applying a torque to other objects have been of the stall, clutch and impact type. While the stall type and clutch type tools give satisfactory torque control in most applications, these types are larger and hence heavier than the impact type tool. Further the stall type and clutch type tools are slower in operation than the impact type tool. In addition the stall type and clutch type tools provide an undesirable torque reaction to the operator, which torque reaction is not present in a tool of the impact type.

. In the impact type of tool the kinetic energy of the rotary hammer (of large mass) is transferred to the spindle (of relatively lower mass) by a collision between the jaws of the hammer and the spindle. These conventional impact tools have several limitations. First the rigid jaws of the hammer and the similar jaws of the spindle are relatively light in order to satisfy the demand of the fabricating industries for a light portable tool. However the forces between the jaws of the hammer and the jaws of the spindle are very high during the time of impact therebetween, with resultant breakage or failure of such jaws and a shorter service life than in other conventional power tools, such as those of the stall or clutch types. Secondly, with these conventional impact tools it is very difficult to control or limit the final torque on a threaded fastener to a final predetermined value within satisfactory limits of accuracy. Further the impact tools are difficult to manufacture because of their complicated structure and are rather noisy in their operation.

It is the general object of the present invention to avoid and overcome the foregoing and other difficulties of and objections to prior art practices by the provision of an improved tool of the impulse type which tool has all of the advantages of the stall type, clutch type and impact type tools and none of the disadvantages thereof.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of an impulse type tool which operates in a fluid at low force levels with resultant minimum wear and attendant longer service life than conventional impact tools.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an impulse tool which is operable to control the final torque on a threaded fastener accurately and precisely within predetermined limits.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of an impulse tool which, because of the simplicity of its structure, is easy to manufacture.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provi sion of an impulse tool which provides relatively quiet operation as compared to an impact tool.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved tool of the impulse type, the major elements of which tool act to seal dynamically or at high velocity and function as a valve statically or at low velocity.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of an impulse tool which is lighter in weight and faster in operation than the tools of the stall type and clutch type.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a tool operable as a source of impulses, which impulses can be utilized to drive a conventional reciprocating tool, such as a hammer, or a conventional rotary tool, such as a drill.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of an impulse tool which is operable to apply a torque or a series of impulses at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the impulse tool.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an impulse tool capable of delivering two impulses during each revolution of the driven means.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference should be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the improved tool of the impulse type, shown in engagement with a threaded fastener and with a stationary casing means shown in vertical section;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional View of the impulse tool showing the housing means as the driven member;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view along the line 33 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3a is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the spindle means as the driven member;

FIG. 3b is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the spindle means provided with pressure relief means;

FIG. 30 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view along the line 3c3c of FIG. 3b in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3d is a view similar to FIG. 30 of an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 3e is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the pressure relief means in the housing means;

FIG. 3f is a vertical sectional view along the line 3f3f of FIG. Se in the direction of the arrows;

The aforesaid objects of the present invention and other objects which will become apparent as the description proceeds are achieved by providing an impulse tool for applying a predetermined torque to an object. This impulse tool comprises housing means provided with inner housing means pivotable on said housing means and adapted to contain a fluid, a spindle means rotatable in the inner housing means and in the fluid and adapted to engage the object, and drive means connected to the housing means for rotating the housing means with respect to the object and the spindle means. The spindle means is operarble during a portion of each revolution of the housing means to dynamically seal off a portion of said fluid so that the pressure in the portion of the fluid and on the spindle means increases, thus causing the spindle means to rotate with respect to the housing means and to apply a torque to the object. Alternatively the spindle means is connected to the drive means and the housing means is adapted to engage the object.

The impulse tool for providing two impulses during each revolution of the driven means has an inner housing means pivotable on the housing means and adapted to contain the fluid, the spindle means being rotatable in the inner housing means and in the fluid.

While the impulse tool of the present invention may be advantageously employed for applying a torque to objects and as a source of fluid impulses in general, the impulse tool of the present invention is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with applying a torque to a threaded fastener and as a source of fluid impulses for driving a conventional tool and hence it has been so illustrated and will "be so described.

With specific reference to the form of the present invention illustrated in the drawings, and referring particularly to FIG. 1, the impulse tool of the present invention (for applying a torque to an object, such as a nut N, through. a socket 25) is indicated generally by the reference letter T.

As shown in FIG. 1 this impulse tool T has a housing means A provided with a cavity 2e adapted to contain a fluid, such as oil F and is driven by a drive means, such as the motor D In this embodiment an inner housing means 132 (FIGS. 2, 3), is pivoted at 134 on the housing means A and by means of cavity 2e is adapted to contain the oil F. The spindle means B (FIGS. 2, 3) is rotatable with spindle shaft 16 (FIG. 1) in the inner housing means 132 and in the oil F.

The impulse tool T has the housing means A provided with a clearance or pivot cavity 130 (FIGS. 2, 3) in which pivot cavity 130 the inner housing 132 is pivotable as at 134. Because of the eccentricity (FIG. 2) of the sealing means, such as spindle 15c with respect to the center of rotation 135 of the housing means A the inner housing 132 has first and second seal points, such as seal points A and A in the cavity 2e.

When the housing means A and inner housing 132 rotate through the angle (FIG. 2) from the position shown in FIG. 2 seal point A coincides with peripheral point B of by-pass slot 136, thus sealing one end of cavity 22. The seal point A is in sealing engagement with the spindle 152 until seal point A reaches peripheral point B When the housing means A, and inner housing 132 have rotated approximately 90 from the position shown in FIG. 2 seal point A coincides with peripheral point B thereby dividing the cavity 2e into a high pressure section HP and a low pressure section LP. The sealing means on the spindle means B comprises a first sealing portion between peripheral points B and B and a second sealing portion between peripheral point B and B Thereafter, during further rotation of the housing means A and inner housing 132 through the added angle B, FIG. 2 (Le. until peripheral point B coincides with seal point A the oil F in high pressure section HP is compressed thereby applying an impulse or kick to the spindle 152.

Two impulses are provided during each single revolution of the housing means A and inner housing 132.

As shown in FIG. 3a, the spindle shaft 16e spindle means 13,, can be connected to the output shaft 332 of a drive means, such as an air motor D (FIG. 1), and the spindle means B used as the driven member. In turn, the housing means A, has its shaft 133 connected to the square drive 16a.

In order to provide torque control means, a first or low pressure pas-sage 138 connects the by-pass slot 136 (FIGS. 3b, 3c) through a pres-sure relief means, such as an adjustable spring loaded poppet valve 137, to a second or high pressure passage 139 also communicating with the other by-pass slot 136 At maximum desired torque the poppet valve 137 opens, thereby preventing any further increase in the fluid pressure in the high pressure portion HP and any attendant increase in torque on the nut N.

As shown in FIG. 3a, an adjustable needle valve 137 may be employed to provide an adjustable leakage path between the high pressure portion HP and low pressure portion LP to control maximum torque on the fastener N.

Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 32, 3f the pressure relief means may be contained within the housing means A In FIGS. 36, 3f an adjustable spring loaded poppet valve 137 is employed. The poppet valve 137 may also be replaced by an adjustable needle valve (not shown) but similar to needle valve 137 (FIG. 3d).

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the above described alternative embodiment (FIGS. 2, 3, 3a 3 1) may be employed with the following already described embodiments of the Impulse Tool (FIGS. l14 of the above mentioned U.S. Patent No. 3,116,617, namely):

(1) The embodiment (FIGS. l-l3) where the drive means causes relative movement between the housing means and the spindle means.

(2) The embodiment (FIGS. 1-12) where the housing means is rotated by the drive means.

(3) The embodiment (FIG. 13) where, the spindle means is rotated 'by the drive means.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the objects of the present invention have been achieved by the provision of an impulse tool which applies a force, namely oil pressure, on the spindle blade and spindle for a short time (namely during the dynamic sealing portion of the operating cycle of the impulse tool) thus providing operation in a fluid at low force levels with resultant minimum wear and attendant longer service life than conventional impact tools.

The impulse tool of the present invention is operable to control the final torque on a threaded fastener accurately and precisely within predetermined practical limits. Further, because of the simplicity of its structure, the impulse tool is easy and economical to manufacture. In addition, the impulse tool provides relatively quiet operation as compared with conventional impact tools. The impulse tool acts as a seal dynamically and as a valve statically; has all of the advantages of the stall type, clutch type and impact type tools and none of the disadvantages thereof; is lighter in weigh-t and faster in operation than the tools of the stall type and clutch type. The present invention also contemplates the use of the impulse tool as a source of fluid impulses, which impulses can be utilized to drive a conventional reciprocating tool, such as a hammer, or a conventional rotary tool, such as a drill. The impulse tool is operable to apply a torque or a series of impulses at any desired angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the impulse tool.

Further an impulse tool has been provided, which impulse tool is capable of producing tWo impulses during each revolution of the driven means.

While in accordance with the patent statutes one best known embodiment of and alternative embodiments of the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be particularly understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby.

I claim:

1. An impulse tool for applying a torque to an object, said impulse tool comprising:

(a) housing means provided with a clearance cavity,

(b) inner housing means in said clearance cavity, pivotable on said housing means and provided with a cavity adapted to contain a fluid,

(c) spindle means rotatable in said inner housing means and in said fluid, ((1) drive means operatively associated with one of said housing means and said spindle means for causing relative rotary movement between said housing means and said spindle means, the other of said housing means and said spindle means being adapted to engage said object,

'(e) sealing means on said spindle means,

(f) a first seal point on said inner housing means,

(g) a second seal point on said inner housing means,

(h) said first seal point and said second seal point and said sealing means being disposed in sealing relation during a relatively small portion of each revolution of said relative rotary movement,

(i) said first seal point and said second seal point and said sealing means being operable during said relatively small portion of each revolution of said relative rotary movement to dynamically seal oil a high pressure portion of said fluid in said cavity so that the pressure in said high pressure portion of the fluid and on said other increases thereby causing the other of said housing means and said spindle means to rotate with respect to said one and to apply a torque to said object.

2. An impulse tool for applying a torque to an object,

said impulse tool comprising:

(a) housing means provided with a clearance cavity,

(in) inner housing means in said clearnace cavity, pivotable on said housing means and provided with a cavity adapted to contain a fluid,

(c) spindle means rotatable in said inner housing means and in said fluid and adapted to engage said object,

(d) drive means connected to said housing means for rotating said housing means with respect to said object and said spindle means,

(e) sealing means on said spindle means,

(i) a first seal point on said inner housing means,

(g) a second seal point on said inner housing means,

(h) said first seal point and said second seal point and said sealing means being disposed in sealing relation during a relatively small portion of each revolution of said housing means,

(i) said first seal point and said second seal point and said sealing means being operable during said relatively small portion of each revolution of said housing means to dynamically seal ofi a high pressure portion of said fluid in said cavity so that the pressure in said high pressure portion of the fluid and on said spindle means increases thereby causing said spindle means to rotate with resspect to said housing means and to apply a torque to said object.

3. An impulse tool for applying a torque to an object,

said impulse tool comprising:

(a) housing means provided with a clearance cavity,

(b) inner housing means in said clearance cavity, pivotable on said housing means, adapted to contain a fluid, and to engage said object,

(c) spindle means rotatable in said inner housing means and in said fluid,

(d) drive means connected to said spindle means for rotating said spindle means with respect to said object and said housing means,

(e) sealing means on said spindle means,

(if) a first seal point on said inner housing means,

(g) a second seal point on said inner housing means,

(h) said first seal point and said second seal point and said sealing means being disposed in sealing engagement during a relatively small portion of each revolution of said spindle means,

(i) said first seal point and said second seal point and said sealing means being operable during said rela tively small portion of each revolution of said spindle means to dynamically seal off a high pressure portion of said fluid in said cavity so that the pressure in said high pressure portion of the fluid and on said inner housing means increases thereby causing said housing means to rotate with respect to said spindle means and to apply a torque to said object.

4. The impulse tool recited in claim 1 wherein said spindle means is provided with by-pass means.

5. The impulse tool recited in claim 1 wherein said spindle means is provided with by-pass means, said spindle means having pressure relief means in communication with said by-pass means.

6. The impulse tool recited in claim 5 wherein said pressure relief means is a poppet valve.

7. The impulse tool recited in claim 5 wherein said pressure relief means is a needle valve.

8. The impulse tool recited in claim 1 wherein said spindle means is provided with by-pass means, said housing means having pressure relief means in communication with said by-pass means.

9. The impulse t-ool recited in claim 8 wherein said pressure relief means is a needle valve.

10. The impulse tool recited in claim 8 wherein said pressure relief means is a poppet valve.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,700,417 -1/29 Ney et al 192-58 3,116,617 1/64 Skoog 6426 BROUGHTON G. DURHAM, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT C. RIORDON, Examiner. 

1. AN IMPULSE TOOL FOR APPLYING A TORQUE TO AN OBJECT, SAID IMPULSE TOOL COMPRISING: (A) HOUSING MEANS PROVIDING WITH A CLEARANCE CAVITY, (B) INNER HOUSING MEANS IN SAID CLEARANCE CAVITY, PIVOTABLE ON SAID HOUSING MEANS AND PROVIDED WITH A CAVITY ADAPTED TO CONTAIN A FLUID, (C) SPINDLE MEANS ROTATABLE IN SAID INNER HOUSING MEANS AND IN SAID FLUID, (D) DRIVE MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH ONE OF SAID HOUSING MEANS AND SAID SPINDLE MEANS FOR CAUSSAID RELATIVE ROTARY MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID HOUSING MEANS AND SAID SPINDLE MEANS, THE OTHER OF SAID HOUSING MEANS AND SAID SPINDLE MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO ENGAGE SAID OBJECT, (E) SEALING MEANS ON SAID SPINDLE MEANS, (F) A FIRST SEAL POINT ON SAID INNER HOUSING MEANS, (G) A SECOND SEAL POINT ON SAID INNER HOUSING MEANS, (H) SAID FIRST SEAL POINT AND SAID SECOND SEAL POINT AND SAID SEALING MEANS BEING DISPOSED IN SEALING RELATION DURIGN A RELATIVELY SMALL PORTION OF EACH REVOLUTION OF SAID RELATIVE ROTARY MOVEMENT, (I) SAID FIRST SEAL POINT AND SAID SECOND SEAL POINT AND SAID SEALING MEANS BEING OPERABLE DURING SAID RELATIVELY SMALL PORTION OF EACH REVOLUTAION OF SAID RELATIVE ROTARY MOVEMENT TO DYNAMICALLY SEAL OFF A HIGH PRESSURE PORTION OF SAID FLUID IN SAID CAVITY SO THAT THE PRESSURE IN SAID HIGH PRESSURE PORTION OF THE FLUID AND ON SAID OTHER INCREASES THEREBY CAUSING THE OTHR OF SAID HOUSING MEANS AND SAID SPINDLE MEANS TO ROTATE WITH RESPECT TO SAID ONE AND TO APPLY A TORQUE TO SAID OBJECT. 